This can be 3D software (e.g. Good Earth or NASA World Wind) or a device (e.g. GPS device).
Person can easily move around Earth and see different environments and also changing angle and position of your view point.
Also can search for additional information like street address or a city.
Types:
They can be used for study or navigation, e.g. GPS device.
The ones who wish to have an accurate virtual representation of Earth, they often use satellite images.
There are some areas in the world that have an ease of access to detailed views of sensitive locations such as airports and military bases.
Other types of virtual globe are not accurate representation of Earth but instead a simplified graphical depiction.
Many modern computerized atlases were of this type.
However these interfaces are widespread because they're faster to use because of the reduced graphics content and the speed with which the user can understand and display.
How does it work?
These virtual globe software are made thanks to satellites in space.
They take high resolution images.
These high resolution images represent the world in very high detailed level. You're able to see mountains, rivers, caves, etc.
As the user moves around the map, web browser sends a requests to a server that generates a revised map image and sends that image to a web server and then, back to the web browser.
Google Earth, NASA World Wind and Norkart Virtual Globe save their cache of downloaded imagery to the user's hard disk.
NASA World Wind is also capable of using MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) imagery from the JPL Aqua and Terra satellites.
Geographic information system: It's a computer system that integrates with hardware, software, data capturing, managing and display with geographically referenced information.
Global Positioning System:
It's a satellite-based navigation system which is made up of a network of 24 satellites that has been placed into orbit.
How Google built its Maps:
http://www.readability.com/read?url=http%3A//www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/09/how-google-builds-its-maps-and-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-everything/261913/
Presentation:
Definition:
Types:
How does it work?
Geographic information system:
It's a computer system that integrates with hardware, software, data capturing, managing and display with geographically referenced information.
Global Positioning System: